What's the ATP's policy on this? I've noticed that next week's two events are 28 man draws and thought it may have been a "one week before Grand Slam" thing, but then noticed it doesn't apply to any other tournament except Vina del Mar.

I don't like it.

scoobs

01-10-2009, 11:36 AM

I know. It sucks. It's bad enough on Olympic years with 4-tournament weeks but this is pathetic.

jitterbug

01-10-2009, 11:46 AM

Probably the tournament directors thought they'd have better chance of getting the top players to commit before the AO if they have to play 4 matches at most.. Instead of 5 :p

TankingTheSet

01-10-2009, 11:47 AM

Someone at the ATP has sucked up hard to the top players. Even Djokovic got a very late wildcard and a Bye as a bonus?

Only two ATP tournaments in the week, very few opportunities for any players ranked above 50 and they awardings Byes to the top-10?????

The same motivation/decision making probably caused the ranking points changes, someone with $$$ and influence really got their demands across and implemented.

Just look at the qually draw of tournaments like Sydney, very good top-100 players toiling in the heat playing multiple matches on the same day -- two good wins and one loss in qualifying and they go home with a measely $1000 or something and negligable ranking points.

Action Jackson

01-10-2009, 12:41 PM

Because they are fucking clowns and they think the only way to get top players to play the week before the AO, is to give them the Bye.

Horatio Caine

01-10-2009, 01:24 PM

Someone at the ATP has sucked up hard to the top players. Even Djokovic got a very late wildcard and a Bye as a bonus?

Only two ATP tournaments in the week, very few opportunities for any players ranked above 50 and they awardings Byes to the top-10?????

The same motivation/decision making probably caused the ranking points changes, someone with $$$ and influence really got their demands across and implemented.

Just look at the qually draw of tournaments like Sydney, very good top-100 players toiling in the heat playing multiple matches on the same day -- two good wins and one loss in qualifying and they go home with a measely $1000 or something and negligable ranking points.

0 pts and just $525 for losing in the final qualifying round...theoretically no money if losing before that. :awww:

NicoFan

01-10-2009, 02:20 PM

It's part of The ATP's new master plan that claims that only the very top players count. :sad:

cobalt60

01-10-2009, 09:12 PM

Someone correct me if I am remembering wrong but was this not a concession to the top players always complaining about having to play to many matches? Along with the byes at Masters? This way instead of shortening the calendar top players ( again) and directors ( again) were kept happy. And not just before a grand slam either.
GW I need your violin smiley here.

buddyholly

01-10-2009, 09:16 PM

Soon the No.1 player will be given a bye through to the final, as the Wimbledon champ was in the good old days.

Ivanatis

01-10-2009, 09:25 PM

couldn't care less if there's 32 or 28 players in a draw tbh
it would probably only annoy me if I had tickets for Monday or Tuesday and wouldn't see the best players the tournament used to promote ticket sales

ChinoRios4Ever

01-10-2009, 09:34 PM

:mad:

Fee

01-10-2009, 09:43 PM

This is a concession to the tournament directors, not the top players (in my opinion). Saves a little bit of money to only have to pay hotel rooms for 28 main draw players instead of 32. Hopefully this is one of those things that will be killed by the start of the 2010 season.

Leo

01-10-2009, 09:51 PM

Guys, this is ironic because it's the opposite of what the WTA is doing! The WTA has pretty much eliminated BYES in events like Sydney. I think it's funny that now, after years of full-32 man draws, the ATP is doing what the WTA has done historically. Gifting top players byes into the second round. Ugh. It's so annoying it's almost funny... almost.

cobalt60

01-12-2009, 04:25 PM

This is a concession to the tournament directors, not the top players (in my opinion). Saves a little bit of money to only have to pay hotel rooms for 28 main draw players instead of 32. Hopefully this is one of those things that will be killed by the start of the 2010 season.

I still feel it is a concession to both the directors and the TOP players. An example is this week in Auckland it is a 32 man draw but the top 4 seeds get a bye. That seems ridiculous to me. So both sides win; some tournies get players who will attract viewers and the players don't have to play as many matches. Ie: the schedule stays the same and everyone is happy to a point.

It is the lower ranked players (even those in the top 100) who end up playing qualies and if they lose, no money and no points. We will see if Helfant changes any of these issues in 2010. I am looking forward to what might be.

jonathancrane

01-12-2009, 06:32 PM

28 man draw -> clown tournament

amirbachar

01-12-2009, 09:15 PM

So Djokovic could earn 45 Points this week for one win
(or even a retirement)

The Same number of points for winning the first Round in a Grand Slam !!!

You know it's not really 45 points. It will enter instead of another tourney.

Besides, the 2 events this week and Vine Del Mar (the week aftet Australia Open) are the only(!) tournament who will have 28 players. So it's really not that bad as you say it is.